Early Signs of HIV

Written by The Healthline Editorial TeamMedically Reviewed by George Krucik, MD, MBA | Published on February 11, 2013

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Cause for Concern?

Cause for Concern?

When it comes to HIV infection, it’s important to know what
early symptoms to look for.
Early detection of the infection can help ensure that you receive prompt
treatment to control the virus, and possibly slow the progression into AIDS.

Warning Signs

Warning Signs

Depending on the phase of the infection, symptoms of HIV can
vary. Initially, most people who contract the illness experience common
flu-like symptoms that may be hard to distinguish from a more general flu or a
gastrointestinal or respiratory infection. This first stage of HIV is known as acute
or primary HIV infection.
It’s also called acute retroviral
syndrome (ARS).

Time Table

Time Table

Early HIV symptoms generally arise within one to two months
of being infected, although according to the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS), they can arrive as early as two weeks after exposure, and
as late as three months post-infection. However, some people experience no
early symptoms after they have been infected with HIV (HHS,
2012).

Am I Contagious?

Am I Contagious?

Though you may only have had the virus for a
short while, you are highly contagious when you have primary HIV infection.
During this phase, your bloodstream contains higher levels of HIV virus, which
makes it easy to transmit the virus along to others. Since not everyone has
early symptoms of HIV, it’s crucial to get tested for HIV if you think you may
have been exposed to the virus.

Other Considerations

Other Considerations

When it comes to HIV symptoms, it’s important to remember
that it’s not always the HIV virus itself that makes you feel sick. Many HIV
symptoms—particularly the most severe ones—arise from what are called opportunistic infections.

These infections attack your immune system once it is
damaged. Also, those who show no symptoms during early HIV infection may become
symptomatic and begin to feel sick once they progress toward AIDS.

What Happens Next?

What Happens Next?

Primary HIV infection is followed by a chronic or latent
phase, during which time the virus becomes less active though it’s still in
your body. This period of latency can last a decade or longer. Many people show
no symptoms of HIV infection during this entire 10-year period. However, once
HIV becomes AIDS, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and fever may
become apparent.

Find Out

Find Out

Though it can be nerve-racking to get tested for HIV, it’s important. Even if
you have no visible symptoms during the early stages of HIV, you are still
contagious and can easily infect others with the virus through an exchange of
body fluids. Taking an HIV test is the only way to determine whether you have
the disease.

So be smart, stay safe, and protect others. Talk to your
doctor about getting tested if you have reason to suspect that you may have
been infected with HIV.

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